Shotgun cartridge

Claim 1

A shotgun cartridge comprising a hollow cylindrical shell having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis; a charge of shot; a plastic wad located intermediate the first and second ends of said shell, said plastic wad having an opening therein extending along said longitudinal axis and including a shot cup projecting from one end thereof, the other end of said plastic wad forming a first space between the first end of said shell and said wad for receiving gun powder, said shot cup and the second end of said shell defining a second space for receiving said charge of shot, said opening connecting said first space with said second space; an identifying agent coating each shot in said charge, said identifying agent being ignitable to produce a visible trace; and a solid firing device consisting solely of a combustible material located entirely within said second space, said solid firing device comprising a disc portion having first and second parallel surfaces with diameters greater than that of said opening and a projection having one of a cylindrical and rectangular shape extending from the first surface of said disc portion into said second space, the second surface of said disc facing the opening in said plastic wad and the projection of said solid firing device and the first surface of said disc being in physical contact with at least some of said shot, the igniting of said powder causing a flame to propagate through the opening in said plastic wad to ignite said firing device which in turn ignites the identifying agent coating said shot, the spread of said shot after ejection from said shell thereby being made visible by the burning of said identifying agent.